Vertebrata-^Man, 13 



tion that is good for food and the production that is to be re- 

 jected ; as well as forming a principal part of the apparatus of 

 speech, the distinguishing attribute of man. Fifthly, as pos- 

 sessing in common with all the rest of the surface of the fabric 

 the general attribute of tact, which exists, however, in the 

 highest degree only in the palms of the hands and at the ends 

 of the fingers, and is there denominated touch. Finally, be- 

 sides being the seat of the organs of sense, it is also the seat of 

 the endowment of intellect, as is indicated by our own inter- 

 nal convictions, leading us irresistibly to the conclusion that 

 thought has its residence in the head. The head thinks. 



The second portion of the fabric of the human body is the 

 neck, which we may regard as the shaft or column that sup- 

 ports the grand and Corinthian capital of the head, in the base 

 of which it originates. In man it assumes a circular and co- 

 lumnar form, possessing great natural grace and beauty. 

 Anacreon exhibits a fine idea of its fascination in his direc- 

 tions to the artist who was about to take the portrait of his 

 female friend : 



Tpv(psp8 S' s(TU3 ysvsis 



Uspl Xvy^ivM rpdyriK^ 



Xdpirss TfsTOiyr'j irxcrai, — Ode xxviii. 



* Under her beautiful chin, around her snowy neck, let all the 

 Graces be fluttering.' The description was no doubt suggested 

 by the original from which he drew. But, in addition to its 

 native loveliness, the neck admits also of such artificial orna- 

 ments as may be suggested by the fertile fancy of the arbi- 

 tresses of female fashion. " Thy cheeks are comely with rows 

 of jewels; thy /i^c^ with chains of gold *." So said the wisest 

 of men. It possesses, besides, a peculiar flexibility, by which 

 the movements of the head are multiplied and facilitated ex- 

 tremely, as well as rendered peculiarly elegant and expressive. 

 Tapering delicately towards the middle, it begins again to ex- 

 pand, till it ultimately rests upon the shoulders, and forms the 

 connecting link between the head and the trunk. In quadru- 

 peds, though it does not always assume the circular form, still 

 it possesses much beauty, as in the case of the horse. " Hast 

 thou given the horse strength ; hast thou clothed his neck with 

 thunder f ? " 



The third portion of the fabric is the trunk, which we may 

 regard as the base or pedestal that gives bulk and stability to 

 the individual, with support and attachment to the neck and 

 head, as well as to the several limbs. It is divided super-, 

 ficially into certain peculiar regions, — the back, the sides, the 

 shoulders, the breast, the abdomen. The greatest bulk of cir- 



* Canticles, i. 10. f Job, xxxix. 19. 



